Analysis of the Putative Remains of a European Patron Saint–St. Birgitta

Martina Nilsson et al.

Abstract

Saint Birgitta (Saint Bridget of Sweden) lived between 1303 and 1373 and was designated one of Europe's six patron saints by the Pope in 1999. According to legend, the skulls of St. Birgitta and her daughter Katarina are maintained in a relic shrine in Vadstena abbey, mid Sweden. The origin of the two skulls was assessed first by analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to confirm a maternal relationship. The results of this analysis displayed several differences between the two individuals, thus supporting an interpretation of the two skulls not being individuals that are maternally related. Because the efficiency of PCR amplification and quantity of DNA suggested a different amount of degradation and possibly a very different age for each of the skulls, an orthogonal procedure, radiocarbon dating, was performed. The radiocarbon dating results suggest an age difference of at least 200 years and neither of the dating results coincides with the period St. Birgitta or her daughter Katarina lived. The relic, thought to originate from St. Birgitta, has an age corresponding to the 13th century (1215–1270 cal AD, 2σ confidence), which is older than expected. Thus, the two different analyses are consistent in questioning the authenticity of either of the human skulls maintained in the Vadstena relic shrine being that of St. Birgitta. Of course there are limitations when interpreting the data of any ancient biological materials and these must be considered for a final decision on the authenticity of the remains.

You look to be a T1a, but Individual 1 is not as she does not have 73G, 16129 or 16294 which are required for T. Plus she has 3010 which defines H1.

All sequences are defined with respect to H2a2 (rCRS). Basically the more mutations, the futher away from H2a2a. I would not dare to rely just on HVRs these days, which I guess is why the author did not quote the haplogroups in the final paper. :)

Looks like the same is happening with Tutankhamun and his (very close) family. They don't dare clearly state the haplogroups.

Anyone got access to the raw data? I can't believe they did STRs. Some guy used the publicity video to try and work out the haplogroup but that may have been stock footage (he identified R1b1b2 from the STR pattern on the screen).

Basically if we are interested we are going to have to do it ourselves (like "not St Brigitte" and her "not daughter")

Your comments interest me as I inherited a "relic" of "s. Birgittaevid" It is in cased in a silver-colored locket and is sealed with Ibelieve the papal seal. Above he seal is the inked number 269; belowthe seal is the number 73.If anyone can shed any light on this subject, I would be appreciative.

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